MONTREAL - The lighting technician shot dead at the Parti Quebecois victory rally Tuesday night wasn't even scheduled to work that night.

"We lost a warrior, a guy who replaced me yesterday because I had to go vote and pick up my daughter at school," said a friend of 48-year-old Denis Blanchette at a vigil in his honour Wednesday.

Blanchette covered for her even though he'd already been working for hours, she said. He was on his feet for more than 24 hours when he was gunned down.

"He gave his life for $15 an hour," she said.

There was "nothing political" about Blanchette's death, she insisted.

Blanchette was shot dead on Tuesday in what police believe may have been an attempt on the life of premier-elect Pauline Marois.

He leaves behind a three-year-old daughter.

Police say the gunman opened fire at the rally during the PQ leader's victory speech. The sovereigntist party won a minority government in that night's provincial election.

Cops arrested Richard Henry Bain, 62, at the scene. The balaclava-clad man, who police say was carrying two guns, reportedly shouted in French at TV cameras: "The English are waking up!" as cops dragged him away.